A travelling music series that showcases homegrown talent is gearing up to return to the RM of Ritchot this summer.

“It’s just a great opportunity to bring people out and to bring community together,” says Danielle Peters, Rithot’s coordinator of community development. “It’s a free evening out with your family and friends, and it’s just a really fun environment.” 

According to Peters, the RM has been hard at work organizing the third annual Homegrown Harmonies free outdoor concert series, which will visit five communities this summer and offer a free evening of music by local acts.

Peters says that when the RM held their first Homegrown Harmonies concerts in 2023, they visited two communities. Because of the success during those first two years, they are now up to five towns.

“We started more small-scale the first year and each year it has grown, because the reaction has been so positive and because we get so much good feedback, that other communities started asking for it.” 

This year, the series will visit Howden on May 22, Île-des-Chênes on June 19, Ste. Agathe on July 24, Grande Pointe on August 14, and wrap up with a show in St. Adolphe on September 12.

And with each show starting at 6:30 p.m. and wrapping up around 8:30 p.m., Peters says the concerts are a perfect family-friendly night out for all ages.  

“We see everything from really young families to seniors groups, so we’ve created a setting where everyone can just come together and enjoy the evening,” she says.  

Each show will feature a pop-up stage, sound system, and lighting, as well as other activities and games for families. There will also be food and beverage truck options on site at each location.

Peters says each location will make for a “picturesque summer evening,” as long as the weather holds up.

“It’s all outdoors in beautiful green spaces at sunset, so it’s really beautiful and just has a really good vibe to it,” she says.  

Along with offering community members an evening out, Peters says the concerts offer local artists and talent an opportunity to perform. She says that dozens of acts auditioned to take part in this year’s event, and 15 acts in total will perform, with three acts playing at each show, including soloists, duos, and full bands.

The first of five Homegrown Harmonies free outdoor concerts will take place Thursday, May 22 at the Howden Community Centre and feature artists Jordan Basso, Jeff Sahulka, and The Wagons.

Peters adds that each show can be moved inside so none will be cancelled, even if there is rain or inclement weather. Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs, shades, or blankets if needed.